Wheat Midge Frequently Asked Questions

What are these little orange mosquito- like bugs in my wheat?
These small bugs that are about half the size of a mosquito and bright orange are probably wheat midge. They will lay eggs in the wheat head and the larvae will then feed on the wheat kernels. Lauxanids are commonly confused with wheat midge, but the Lauxanid is a little bigger and is a yellowish-brown colour.

What kind of damage can the wheat midge do to my crop?
The wheat midge larvae can decrease the yield of your crop. One midge per 4-5 wheat heads can decrease yield around 15 percent. They can also reduce the grade of your wheat. If there is more than one midge per 8-10 wheat heads there is a risk of a reduced grade. The Canadian Grain Commission limits midge damage in No. 1 CWRS wheat to 2% and 8% in No.2.

When should I be scouting for wheat midge?
Adults appear in late June and early July. Scouting of fields should be done regularly between heading and flowering. Scout in the evenings, from about 8 - 10 pm, when the temperature is around 15 degrees Celsius and there is no or very light winds. Also, scout various locations (four or five places) in the field for a more representative count.

What are the thresholds for wheat midge?
One adult midge per four or five wheat heads is usually enough to warrant control measures.

What can I use to control wheat Midge?
Cygon™, Lagon™, Lorsban NT™, Nufos™, Citadel™, Warhawk 480 EC™, MPower Krypton™ and Pyrinex™ are all registered for use on wheat midge in wheat. Check the label for any restrictions regarding these chemicals. For example Cygon™ and Lagon™ do not control the eggs, just the adults. Also, watch the stage of the crop, to ensure the timing of the insecticide application is correct. Check the label for application timing.

Considerations for Control
Late evening or early morning are the best times to control the adults, as the females are most active in cool nighttime temperatures (but above 150 C or 590F) and when the wind is less than 10 km/hr (6 mph). Also, good coverage is critical for control, so make sure the water volume is adequate. Check the label for recommended water volumes. Optimal control happens when 70% of the crop is in the heading to flower stage. If 30-60% of the crop is flowering then it needs to be sprayed immediately to have good control on the wheat midge. If 80% of the crop is flowering then control is not recommended as midge damage has already started. Spraying therefore should be done early to protect the main stem and first tiller, as this is where most of the yield potential of the crop is.